Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,245,377 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA, including 140,173 crashes, 56,794 fires, and 8,580 deaths.
What is a NHTSA consumer complaint?
A consumer complaint is a free-form report filed by a vehicle owner directly to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) describing a safety concern about their vehicle. NHTSA collects these reports through its Vehicle Owner Defect Report (VOQ) system and publishes them publicly. Each complaint includes the affected component, the date and circumstances of the incident, whether the failure caused a crash or fire, and any reported injuries or deaths. The owner's full narrative description is included verbatim, NHTSA does not edit or moderate the descriptions.
The database below contains over 2,245,377 individual complaints. NHTSA's investigators monitor it for clusters of similar reports, when enough owners describe the same failure mode on the same vehicle, NHTSA may open a Preliminary Evaluation that can lead to a recall. Many of the largest recalls in U.S. history, including the Takata airbag recall and the Hyundai/Kia engine fire recalls, started as patterns visible in this complaint database years before they became formal recalls.
How to interpret what you read
A few principles for reading consumer complaints usefully:
- One complaint is anecdote; a hundred similar complaints is data. NHTSA does not investigate the truthfulness of any individual report, that's the job of the Office of Defects Investigation, which looks at the full pattern. When evaluating a vehicle, look for whether multiple owners describe the same chain of events.
- Crash, fire, injury, and death flags are owner-set. They are not verified by NHTSA. They are still useful as a filter, because owners who tick those boxes are typically reporting more serious incidents than those who don't.
- Component categories are NHTSA-assigned, not owner-assigned. NHTSA standardizes the component field so that complaints can be aggregated. The owner narrative often goes into more detail than the component category captures.
- Complaint volume scales with sales volume. A best-selling model will accumulate more raw complaints than a niche model even at the same defect rate. To compare across vehicles, look at complaints per 100,000 units sold, not raw counts.
If you've experienced a defect
File a complaint. NHTSA's investigators rely on this database to detect emerging defects, and useful complaints, specific, concrete, with dates and mileage and clear descriptions of what happened, feed directly into the agency's pattern detection. The form takes about 10 minutes and is at nhtsa.gov/recalls under "Report a Safety Problem." Your complaint becomes part of the same public record that this page is built from. Owners filing detailed VOQs are how recalls get triggered.
Read more from our blog
Showing 169,480 complaints - component: ENGINE
Incident date: Apr 6, 2026
Idle and warning to not drive, 2025 very subtle cut off now full warning
Incident date: Aug 15, 2025
For a year I have had my car to the shop multiple times due to a musty smell inside my car. I have never been able to find any fluids or moisture inside the car, however, the inside of my windshield tends to get a weird film on it, I am constantly cleaning to keep visibility especially at night. None of the mechanics that I have taken it to were able to figure it out, and most of them could not sm... Read more
Incident date: Apr 6, 2026
A recall for the possibility that sand may have entered the engine during casting has been in place since November 2025. To date, Stellantis has not provided a remedy that, in my opinion, should require a complete engine replacement. I am required to travel extensively, often hundreds of miles at a time, for work, and this is my only vehicle. I am frequently on freeways with a speed limit of 65-7... Read more
Incident date: Apr 11, 2026
Kia has 110,000 miles on it. We’ve regularly changed the oil at 3-5k mile intervals. A week ago, I heard loud knocking from the front of the car, along with loss of power. We drove it to our local Kia dealer (Kia of Bedford, OH), where upon inspection, they found cylinder bank 2 to be inoperative due to loss of oil. They found approx 2 quarts of oil in the engine - way below normal. They observe... Read more
Incident date: Mar 27, 2026
I have been having an issue with my 2021 Hyundai Palisade's engine oil consumption. It is constantly burning oil at a high rate, requiring me to purchase oil constantly. I had it serviced at Hyundai in Gurnee, IL. An oil consumption test was conducted. Hyundai corporate stated that my vehicle's engine was not burning oil at the required rate, which prompted an engine replacement. I reached out to ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 9, 2026
2017 Ford Escape 65,000 miles,1.5l coolant intrusion.#2 cylinder misfire code. First thing upon raising the hood noticed and acknowledged there was no coolant in resevoir. Attempting to replace spark plugs. Removed/replaced #4 plug. Attempting to replace #3 spark plug, plug broke off. Researching and collaborating with reputable mechanic concluded that short block coolant intrusion has occurred.... Read more
Incident date: Apr 10, 2026
While stopped in heavy traffic at a traffic signal, the engine stopped and would not restart. This was due to the AIS system. The car became disabled in heavy traffic. I was only a few feet from the entrance to a gas station, however due to the interlock system that locks the transmission in Park, the truck could not be pushed out of traffic. Honda, unlike other manufacturers the use the same tran... Read more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2025
For the second time, the integrated control unit, ICCU, has failed to this is AFTER being replaced under the recall. The recall solution has not fixed the problem, and is a fake bandaid on a problem that means cars will totally stop working in the middle of the road. This is totally unsafe and unacceptable.
Incident date: Apr 3, 2026
Timeline of Maintenance & Failure: • October [Year]: I purc Timeline of Maintenance & Failure: • October [Year]: I purchased this vehicle. • February 11, 2026: I performed a full oil service (documented receipt attached). • April 3, 2026: While transporting my two grandsons—one of whom has autism—the vehicle suffered total engine failure while in traffic. • The Safety Defect: Despite... Read more
LAND ROVER
RANGE ROVER SPORT
(2014) - ENGINE
Apr 11, 2026
Incident date: Apr 10, 2026
We were stopped at a stoplight. As soon as we stepped on the gas pedal, there was a loud clunk sound and plastic parts started flying out from under the car. We immediately pulled over. Oil was spilling out everywhere. The transmission oil pump was laying on the inside of the engine compartment. We had towed to Toyota. They diagnosed a bent piston went through engine which also caused a hole in th... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2026
My 2018 Kia Sorento has developed excessive oil consumption consistent with the known engine defects affecting Kia’s Theta II engines. The vehicle began consuming oil rapidly without warning, despite regular maintenance. This issue did not appear until after 100,000 miles, which is common for this defect. The sudden loss of oil creates a serious safety hazard, including engine stalling or failur... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2024
Subaru stutters stalls, torque converter malfunction
Incident date: May 15, 2024
Engine failure at 77,000 miles. Regular oil changes and maintenance were performed on this vehicle. While driving driver started hearing a banging noise from engine and a subsequent stall while driving. Vehicle towed to local Honda dealer. Complete engine replacement required due to low oil (3.5 quarts) and metal shreddings in oil when emptied. Repair cost was quoted at over $14,000. Cost to have... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2026
My wife was driving the vehicle by the left lane on route 9A northbound on elmsford at a speed around 35 mph. The vehicle suddenly came to stop completely while driving. My wife tried to start it but it didn't start. We called the police to come help us due to the ongoing traffic while the towing was on its way. Our mechanic told us the engine was seized and needs a replacement. The vehicle is a ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 31, 2025
Complete engine failure. The dealership kept the engine. This happened at a low rate of speed but it would have been much worse if on the highway. Yes the engine was completely replaced. The check engine light came on and their was a loud ticking noise coming from the engine.
Incident date: Apr 10, 2026
Everytime I drive the car and I don’t get no warming and I bring the car to the dealer and tell them what going on and dealer do and don’t tell me what going on.. i should be able to get another car free because they want me to keep pay thing out my pocket which I don’t have Also want to let you know that [XXX] and I will like to explain more on phone [XXX] Also the ford dealership wa... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2024
My 2015 Ford Escape is diagnosed with a coolant intrusion due to flawed design issues by Ford. Coolant is slowly leaking into valve 2 and causing white smoke upon startup. The engine block is cracked due to faulty coolant system by per the designed of Ford. Only remedy is a new engine which is quoted at $8000. As this problem is entirely caused by Ford, it is unfair to expect the consumers to pay ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Jun 11, 2025
Erractic rpms. Shakes/hesitant on take off from stop. Accelerator can be pushed all the way and it goes 5mph. Shifting takes a good minute with shakiness. Can not drive in rush hour traffic almost got accident many times.
Incident date: Apr 10, 2026
This is a supplemental report to my previous filing regarding a 2023 VW ID.4 battery fire. On May 28, 2025, while being operated, the vehicle suffered a catastrophic thermal event. White smoke emanated from the front compartment followed by active flames. The vehicle was a total loss. Critical Safety Finding: A subsequent forensic examination conducted on October 29, 2025 (File 27739-01) by a cer... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Oct 21, 2025
While accelerating from a light that had just turned green, after passing through an intersection the vehicle seized up and came to a complete stop. There were no warning lights or any indication of a malfunction. The vehicle did not shut off, the wheels just stopped spinning. After a few seconds it began to accelerate again. It happened on a Sunday, I called the dealership Monday Morning. I was n... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 21, 2025
Incident Description: I purchased a 2016 Hyundai Veloster (VIN: KMHTC6ADXGU255844) in May 2025. Shortly after purchase, the vehicle began exhibiting serious mechanical issues, including engine knocking, excessive oil consumption, stalling, misfiring, and loss of power. Despite these ongoing issues, the vehicle is listed as having Recall 198 completed. However, the symptoms associated with that rec... Read more
Crash
1 injured
DODGE
GRAND CARAVAN
(2002) - ENGINE
Apr 10, 2026
Incident date: Mar 30, 2026
I started observing oil leaks and took it to the dealership. They changed the gasket for 2500$ and the oil leak worsened. Dealer is asking for $4500 to replace a bad cylinder head. I am told that this is a common Mazda manufacturing defect and Mazda denied the repair cost coverage request. Any help would be really appreciated. This is commonly reported Mazda issue and especially on a low mileage ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2026
On [XXX] while entering the parking lot of my office, I noticed a blinking check engine light on the car's dashboard. I've never experienced this before so I called my husband. He asked me to use a diagnositic tool he kept in the car. I did and there was a code "P1326" when I pressed the key for more information it said something about the manufacturer. My husband told me to call the nearest d... Read more
Incident date: Apr 9, 2026
During highway driving, alert on dashboard stated “electrical system failing enter idle mode”. Tahoe slowed down and then engine began knocking right as it shut off resulting in needing to coast to the shoulder of the highway safely since engine was off. Towed to dealership and then they came back saying needed a new battery, new alternator belt, pulley and water compartment. After those insta... Read more
FORD
BRONCO SPORT
(2023) - ENGINE
Apr 10, 2026
Incident date: Apr 4, 2026
One day my truck drove perfect to, the next day while driving it starting losing power drastically on the highway and shuts off that i had to dead steer it to the shoulder.”engine power reduced/grinding/knocking sound came on. I brought it to my mechanic and he says change the engine he is seeing a common thing with these 2.7 liter from this truck model, i paid $6,500 to change it and it worked ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 10, 2026
All of this has been diagnosed and confirmed by Richfield-Bloomington Honda. It is a catostrophic failure of the motor. Cylinder 6 is misfiring. They are recommending a full motor replacement. Last year, I had the piston ring issue on this car and the dealership had to rebuild the motor. The van has about 125,000 miles on it and is good service, including the repaired motor. We are the single o... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2026
I had the recall for the Momentary Rear Wheel Lock-up completed on 2025-05-04. While I was driving March 2026 my Tahoe went into limp mode and I had to have it towed because it wouldn’t reverse it was towed a day after this happened to Lynch Chevrolet. It has sat there ever since with no fix in site. I had to get a rental vehicle that GM is paying for but they have stipulations to what they pay ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 26, 2026
The engine mounted high pressure fuel pump became loose and unseated because the engine-side mounting threads failed. The pump lifted off its mounting surface, the head of the engine, and oil came out around the top of the engine. This failure caused sudden loss of engine power and created a potential safety hazard because the vehicle could lose power unexpectedly in traffic and there was fluid le... Read more
Incident date: Oct 30, 2024
Exhaust weld break similar to the 2019 Chevy traverse
Incident date: Oct 30, 2024
Safety Hazard: Oil Pump Failure Leading to Sudden Engine Stall (BMW B58TU engines) Description of Defect: The oil pump module in the 2020 BMW M340i (G20) contains internal plastic components that are prone to thermal degradation and premature failure. These plastic parts can crack or disintegrate, causing a sudden loss of oil pressure. Increasing wear on internal engine components and even leadin... Read more
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2024) - ENGINE
Apr 10, 2026
Incident date: Jun 3, 2025
Driving on the PA turnpike at speed with traffic and the engine lost power and started squealing. No lights came on, I was able to get to the side of the road and the truck shut off. When I restarted it, it sounded terrible. Had it towed to dealer and dealer stated that the engine had a terminal failure with the crank bearings and needs replaced. I was fortunate at the time of the issue that I was... Read more
Incident date: Apr 6, 2026
The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Taos. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the low coolant warning light illuminated. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the head gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had reoccurred approximately ten ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2024
Starting in drive with the brakes depressed, when trying to accelerate with the gas pedal, the vehicle will not activate the engine from electric mode(EV). The car will not accelerate even with the gas pedal fully depressed. It has happened four times so far. Safety issue because when I’m pulling out into traffic to make a left or right turn, the car will not accelerate and therefore can get hit... Read more
Incident date: Mar 23, 2026
Caught on fire while parked for over an hour. No indication of any problem when driven earlier in the day. Parked in outdoor apt lot. Smelled smoke. Ran out and saw engine was on fire. Called fire department to extinguish it.
Fire
MERCEDES-BENZ
AMG GLE43
(2019) - ENGINE
Apr 10, 2026
Incident date: Apr 10, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power several times, with the check engine warning light and low oil warning lights blinking. The vehicle was able to restart; however, the failure persisted. There was an abnormal tapping sound coming from the vehicle. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagn... Read more
JEEP
GRAND WAGONEER
(2025) - ENGINE
Apr 10, 2026
Incident date: Apr 10, 2026
The 2022 ioniq 5 was bought used with 43k MI and within 2k miles of driving in 50-85F climate and 7kwh l2 charging I witnessed the orange check EV light flash while I was driving on the highway. I exited and powrr cycled the car and the EV light remained. The next morning the orange check EV light was gone. I went to the dealership for a diagnostic and they said they could not replicate the error... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2020) - ENGINE
Apr 10, 2026
Incident date: Feb 24, 2026
The P06DA00 code in Mercedes-Benz vehicles is a common issue involving the oil pump solenoid, often caused by a faulty wiring harness. If this is caused by faulty wiring harness then this should be a recall since it is common and happens to all vehicles like mine. I have been told that this needs to be a recall. Oil Pump Gear: Found faulty oil pump control valve present and requires replacement.... Read more
Incident date: May 10, 2023
The vehicle suddenly began running roughly, and produced a loud clicking/knocking noise and engine shut off while driving. We were advised by the Ford mechanic we had it towed to that it was due to the EcoBoost engine failure, and that this is a known issue.Ford has issued technical service bulletins related to this defect, but no recall has been initiated. Given the safety implications of an engi... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2025
Started having issues immediately after purchase with turbo issues. Which force the car into am RPM limited limp mode. Made 3 trips to dealer with no resolution. The car has very limited power and is unsafe to drive. We have been asking for a loaner for a couple weeks and are finally being granted one. There seems to be no time for a resolution. The vehicle has basically not functioned correct... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
ATLAS CROSS SPORT
(2020) - ENGINE
Apr 10, 2026
Incident date: Jan 22, 2026
There are three active recall on my car, all of which say there are not remedy available and NHTSA Recall Number 25V455 can cause engine failure that leads to a crash, was reported in July 2025, and STILL has no remedy. The other 2 recalls are NHTSA Recall Number 26V123 and NHTSA Recall Number 26V117.
FORD
TRANSIT CONNECT
(2014) - ENGINE
Apr 10, 2026
Incident date: Oct 22, 2025
ENGINE LOCK UP WITH 5018 MILES ON, IT IS A THE 6.2 MOTOR ROD AND CRANK BAD
GMC
SIERRA 2500
(2024) - ENGINE
Apr 10, 2026
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
I had left work and pulled out of the parking lot to head towards the freeway. I had driven about 3 blocks and the truck made an indicator alert noise. My dash panel said reduced power mode or something to that effect. The truck felt as if it lost power. Luckily I was able to pull to the side of the road at which point I put it into park and shut it off. I waited a moment and then tried to restart... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 2500
(2024) - ENGINE
Apr 10, 2026
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
Good day, I am writing to formally raise and escalate a serious concern regarding the vehicle I recently purchased Autosource company. I purchased a car through auto source company that assists international professionals in leasing or purchasing vehicles in the United States. However, upon independently checking the vehicle’s VIN, it has come to my attention that the car has an unresolved saf... Read more
Incident date: Mar 18, 2026
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated while reversing, the rear-view camera displayed a blank screen. The 4WD system engaged unintendedly, and the park assist sensor was inoperable while an unknown message was displayed. Additionally, the vehicle lost motive power while driving. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who replaced ... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2020) - ENGINE
Apr 10, 2026
Incident date: Mar 19, 2026
After driving IN RAIN for about 27 Miles then idling in slow traffic, vehicle started running poorly, stalled and would not run properly. Got "Reduced Engine Power, Visit Your Dealer Message". Engine would start but stall when put in drive. I held up traffic for several minutes. After several minutes of restarting and stalling, I ran engine in park for 2000-3000 rpm for about a minute. The car... Read more
Incident date: Aug 2, 2025
I am reporting a failure involving a 2020 vehicle equipped with a GM 6.2L V8 engine that developed a cylinder 8 misfire along with diagnostic trouble codes P0300, P0500, and P0521. Dealer inspection revealed a severely scored camshaft and metal debris present in the engine oil, indicating significant internal engine damage. The failure appears to be related to a lifter or valvetrain malfunction, l... Read more
Incident date: Oct 12, 2025
16 year old was driving down the interstate, Truck stopped accelerating out of no where and lost speed while in the middle lane. Steering wheel locked up, Car showed Oil pressure issue. Was told to shift to Neutral and restart. Barely made it to the shoulder. App showed only a battery issue and no other alerts. Thankful we did not get hit as cars were flying by on either side on the interstate. ... Read more
JEEP
GRAND CHEROKEE
(2024) - ENGINE
Apr 10, 2026
Incident date: Nov 7, 2025
entire vehicle shuts down, without warning. was driving down road all of sudden the truck shut off no not engine,electrical, stearing etc. Was confirmed at dealer. no not until after it shut down did a waning appear.